Agenda item

This report proposes the relocation of services currently accommodated within the BCP Civic centre Annexe, to allow for its disposal. Options are set out within the proposal detailing various approaches to reprovision services, supporting the Council’s strategic direction for more efficient and effective use of its estate. The proposal forms part of the wider Estates and Accommodation programme and seeks to ensure that operational services are accommodated in locations that better support long-term estate planning.

A range of relocation options have been considered across several Council assets, including the Civic Centre and West Wing, Civic Extension, Civic basement, Parkway House and other potential operational accommodation. These options have been reviewed against service requirements, statutory obligations, operational deliverability, financial implications, impact on other building users and alignment with the Council’s wider estate strategy.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Cabinet wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendices the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session].

The Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Resources and Governance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘E’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report proposed the relocation of services currently accommodated within the BCP Civic Centre Annexe, to allow for its disposal.

In relation to this, Cabinet was informed that options were set out within the proposal detailing various approaches to re-provision services, supporting the Council’s strategic direction for more efficient and effective use of its estate.

Further to this, Cabinet was advised that the proposal formed part of the wider Estates and Accommodation Programme and sought to ensure that operational services were accommodated in locations that better supported long-term estate planning.

Cabinet was informed that a range of relocation options had been considered across several Council assets, including the Civic Centre and West Wing, Civic Extension, Civic Basement, Parkway House and other potential operational accommodation, and that these options had been reviewed against service requirements, statutory obligations, operational deliverability, financial implications, impact on other building users and alignment with the Council’s wider estate strategy.

In presenting the report, the Portfolio Holder expressed disappointment that the Council was unable to provide better interim accommodation for the Coroner’s Jury Court, highlighting the recent briefings provided on the needs of the service and the sensitivities involved. The Portfolio Holder advised that he recognised the compromises and adaptations which had been agreed and, in relation to this, proposed that an additional recommendation be inserted as follows: -

(e)  Request officers to review the situation regarding the Coroners Service in 2028 and to report to Cabinet on the scope for capital provision to enable the Service to be located in accommodation appropriately configured to meet the needs of the service for the foreseeable future.

Cabinet assented to the inclusion of the additional recommendation, which therefore formed part of the substantive recommendations as set out below.

Councillor Patrick Canavan addressed Cabinet and highlighted that the item had not yet been considered by the cross-party asset disposal working group and was being submitted to Cabinet without any prior scrutiny.

In relation to this, the Leader advised that the decision was still required to be considered by the Audit and Governance Committee and Full Council for adoption, and that there would therefore be further opportunities for scrutiny.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the report and thanked the Coroner for the recent briefing, which had assisted Members in understanding the operational needs and sensitivities of the service. Members acknowledged that the proposed interim arrangements were not ideal and that compromises had been necessary but considered that the additional recommendation provided an opportunity to review the position in 2028 and consider whether a more suitable long-term solution could be identified, reference was also made to potential future legislative requirements and the need to ensure that any implications for the service were kept under review.

It is RECOMMENDED that Cabinet recommend to Council to:

(a)               approve the delivery of building improvements as set out in Option 3; 

(b)              approve a budget of £2.3m to support the activity detailed within Option 3;

(c)               approve the funding strategy proposed for Option 3 for the delivery of the Annexe service relocations as set out in restricted Appendix 2 - Financial Implications; 

(d)              approve the health and safety related essential improvements, bringing the basement in line with the improvements delivered throughout the rest of the building within the earlier Phase 1 works; and

(e)               request officers to review the situation regarding the Coroners Service in 2028 and to report to Cabinet on the scope for capital provision to enable the Service to be located in accommodation appropriately configured to meet the needs of the service for the foreseeable future.

It is RECOMMENDED that Cabinet recommend to Audit and Governance Committee to:

(f)                recommend to Council to approve short-term prudential borrowing of £1.8m part of the funding strategy to deliver the Annexe services relocations.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Transformation, Resources and Governance

Reason

The recommended option reallocates services from the BCP Civic Annexe allowing for its disposal.